I wanted to write - a poem - that rhymes - but revolution doesn't lend - itself to Hip Hopping

Dr. Tracy Butts 

English Professor, 

CSU, Chico 

Dr. Butts takes her title from a poem by the black poet Nikki Giovanni. By its very nature, Hip Hop is revolutionary. Born of necessity, Hip Hop gave a cultural and political voice to disenfranchised and disaffected youth of the late 1970s. More than 30 years later, Hip Hop culture has remained true to many of the convictions and aesthetic criteria that evolved out of the Black Arts Movement of the ’60s, including calls for social relevance, originality, and a focused dedication to produce art that challenges American mainstream artistic expression and cultural values. Dr. Butts shares poetry and music throughout her presentation as she discusses the power and the voice of Hip Hop. 

The presenter utilized several YouTube videos during the presentation.  To watch the videos, pause the presentation and open a second browser window and type in the YouTube video URL. 

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Recorded: September 28, 2012